In her Billboard #1 song, “Fancy,” Australian-born pop star Iggy Azalea raps, “keep turning it up … film star, yeah I’m deluxe.” We’re unsure what type of film Azalea was referring to on this track, but her very own adult film may be coming to a screen near you soon.
Five years ago Azalea, born Amethyst Amelia Kelly, singed a legally binding contract with then-manager and boyfriend Maurice Williams (aka Jefe Wine). The contract granted the Houston-rapper with the right to cut her records and music videos. While the contract did not specifically grant Wine the right to sell and market a sex video, the court could easily interpret the overboard language as encompassing the right to sell and market their sex tape. The contract’s language states that Williams has the right to “manufacture, sell, distribute and advertise any recording embodying visual images.” According to sources, Vivid Entertainment, the same company that released Kim Kardashian’s sex tape is offering seven figures for Azalea’s tape.
This afternoon Azalea filed a federal lawsuit against Williams. In her complaint Azalea claims that throughout the course of their relationship, Williams illegally downloaded the entire contents of her personal computer, including unreleased master recordings. This year, Williams released several such recordings and now Azalea is suing on the grounds of copyright infringement. She’s also alleging conversion of stolen information from her computer. While the suit makes no mention of the alleged sex tape, Azalea also claims that any contracts referenced by Williams are forged.
This summer Azalea reached a historic milestone by becoming the fourth solo female rapper to top Billboard’s Hot 100. New historic legal milestones may be reached soon as well. Stay tuned …
Jaia Thomas is a Los Angeles-based sports and entertainment attorney. You can follow her at: @jaiathomaslaw